Project Manager – Cost
Onsite – Rockford, Illinois
Direct Hire
Salary: $70,000 – $100,000+ (Depending on Experience)
Candidates must be authorized to work in the U.S. without sponsorship
Travel: Occasional travel to customer sites as needed
Position Overview
We are seeking a highly technical and customer-focused Project Engineer with experience in manufacturing systems. This role is responsible for developing engineered solutions and translating customer requirements into technically accurate, competitive proposals.
The Project Engineer serves as a key liaison between Engineering, Sales, and Estimating teams, ensuring all proposals are technically sound, manufacturable, and aligned with project cost targets. The ideal candidate will possess strong analytical skills, hands-on engineering knowledge, and the ability to communicate complex technical concepts clearly to both customers and internal stakeholders.
Key Responsibilities
Technical Requirements & Solution Development
- Identify and define technical requirements for customer projects in collaboration with engineering teams
- Analyze customer applications, production requirements, and operating conditions to develop optimized machine tool solutions
- Evaluate feasibility, technical risks, and performance expectations of proposed systems
- Provide technical problem-solving and customized engineered solutions tailored to customer needs
Cost Basis & Estimating Support
- Define project scope, assumptions, and technical configurations to establish accurate cost basis for estimating
- Collaborate closely with estimating teams to align technical scope with pricing and cost structures
- Support cost analysis by identifying major cost drivers, material requirements, and manufacturing processes
- Assist with investment analysis and cost/benefit evaluations for proposed systems
Proposal Development
- Prepare detailed technical and commercial proposals for customer projects
- Develop clear technical documentation, specifications, and solution descriptions aligned with customer requirements
- Ensure proposals accurately communicate machine capabilities, performance expectations, and overall value
- Create preliminary build specifications and system configurations to support internal project alignment
Sales & Customer Support
- Support sales teams by explaining technical aspects of proposed solutions and equipment capabilities
- Participate in customer meetings and technical discussions to clarify project requirements
- Provide ongoing technical support during the proposal phase, including revisions and customer inquiries
- Translate customer needs into actionable internal engineering documentation
Cross-Functional Collaboration
- Work closely with Engineering, Estimating, Production, and Technical Office teams
- Communicate project specifications and technical requirements clearly across departments
- Ensure proposed solutions align with manufacturing capabilities, schedules, and operational objectives
Continuous Improvement & Technical Analysis
- Perform technical and cost analysis to improve proposal accuracy, efficiency, and competitiveness
- Identify opportunities for standardization, modular designs, and reuse of proven solutions
- Support continuous improvement initiatives related to proposal development tools, documentation, and processes
Qualifications
- 5–10 years of experience in machine tools, CNC systems, industrial equipment, or manufacturing environments
- Strong engineering background with hands-on technical understanding
- Ability to read and interpret technical drawings, specifications, and customer requirements
- Experience developing technical proposals, engineered systems, or manufacturing solutions
- Strong analytical, organizational, and problem-solving skills
- Excellent written and verbal communication skills with the ability to explain technical concepts clearly
- Degree in Mechanical Engineering, Manufacturing Engineering, or related field preferred but not required
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